Sources say that Vancouver-based Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) may build a new flagship store in Downtown Toronto. The store would replace a 28,000 square foot surface parking lot at the corner of Queen Street West and Soho Street in the heart of the city's popular Queen West shopping area. The location of this surface parking lot is unusual. It has remained vacant for years despite its prime location in the centre of one of Toronto's busiest and most popular shopping districts. Most stores in the immediate area are of a smaller size compared to the expected size of the MEC store. Its recently announced North York store will be 44,000 square feet, for example. Buzz Buzz Home reports that MEC will locate its Toronto flagship store at the base of a new building on the site that will include commercial offices above and underground parking below.

MEC already has a Downtown Toronto store a few blocks south on King Street West. We received an update that this building has not been sold, nor has it been listed for sale. A source told us that its building was sold to a Toronto-based real estate developer, and we have been updated that this was incorrect. We'll update you when we learn more about this interesting retail and real estate development.RELATED: